There’s been a long road to Mark Bacino’s fourth album – but it was well worth it. A much sought-after producer, writer and multi-instrumentalist, Bacino has produced one of the best pop-rock albums of 2024.
Top of the World (Parasol Records) combines succinct and clear writing, excellent production, and outstanding playing. Not a note is wasted in the effort.
The opening salvo, “Kaylee Hughes,” is as close to perfect as pop can get. Bacino’s tale of an almost too-good-to-be-true potential suitor and a skeptical potential mate is both clever and catchy. His vocals effectively reflect both angst and paranoia, while his Wurlitzer solo is coy and enticing. Michael Leonhart’s horn work adds a cherry to the cake.
“Flop of the World” slows things down with a ’70s-era Randy Newman feel, including tasty organ piano touches and an old sad trumpet solo. Sure, the song is about a loser, but losing rarely sounds this good.
“Not That Guy” offers a musical contest with its upbeat and direct rhythms and acoustic and electric guitars. Mark Bacino’s lyrics are as descriptive as ever. The chorus is cheerful and engaging, in contrast to the actual lyrics. Bad guys may finish first but they’re well-represented in this song’s lyrics. At just over three minutes, the song ends just when it gets going. I could use a few more bars of the piano solo, but maybe that would detract from the excellent storytelling.
“Why Does This Woman Love Me” finds Bacino asking a question that is perhaps best left unasked. He tries it into a rhythmically direct melody, including a tasty acoustic guitar solo. The backing vocals and coda are also clever, belying the song’s central theme.
“Shaky Hand” initially sounds like a lovely piano-driven ballad – until the lyrics unveil a disturbing premise. Bacino’s production, with real strings and vintage keyboards, further advances the powerful song’s theme. “He Never Saw It Coming (Accidental Death of a Clown)” may well be the best 1:39 seconds you will spend listening to music. Perhaps Bacino could stretch that one out, too.
He briefly dips into country/swing with the energetic “I Like Wearing Clothes.” Ron Zabrocki handles both bass and guitar, giving the song a shining feel reinforced by Steve Peffer on the honky-tonk piano. Lyrically, this song is clever and engaging, while the band has fun with the central theme. I can’t think of another pop song that makes such a strong case for keeping one’s clothes on. “How the Story Ends” has had a big impact on me as I’ve entered an interesting phase of my life. Bacino’s clever lyrics have a dark edge here yet are relatable and clever.
The 10 songs on Top of the World demonstrate song craft at its finest. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another decade for Mark Bacino’s next release.
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